Town Council Appoints Five to Wastewater Management Commission

Five individuals were appointed to the Wastewater Management Commission on Monday evening at Town Hall.

The five members appointed to the commission were Philip Driscoll, who was appointed to a five-year term; David Gleason, four years; Beth Leinberry, three years; John Vickers, two years; and Erica Medley, one year.

The first appointment was for Driscoll, which passed unanimously by the council. Driscoll, who is retired, is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He served on the Portsmouth Wastewater Advisory Committee for five years and as a member of the Portsmouth Water and Fire District for 23 years.

The council also voted unanimously to appoint Gleason to a four-year term and Leinberry to a three-year term.

Gleason, who is employed by the , holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He has also served as a property manager and maintenance engineer.

Leinberry is an employee of the Naval War College in Newport. A registered professional civil engineer, she holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, a master's degree in environmental engineering and a certificate in disaster science. She has served as a construction engineer for 27 years.

The council then voted 5-2 to appoint Col. John Vickers to a two-year term. President Joe Robicheau and Elizabeth Pedro were in opposition.

Vickers is a 24-year U.S. Army engineer, who graduated from West Point with a bachelor's degree and from the University of Illinois with a master's degree in civil engineering. He has served as a professional engineer and is currently employed by Rhode Island College. He has served as a member of the Wastewater Advisory Committee since 2005.

The council, in a 4-3 vote, appointed Medley to a one-year position on the board. Opposed to the appointment were Councilors Michael Buddemeyer, Jim Seveney and Keith Hamilton.

"During the interview, we heard nothing of what she would do on the commission," said Seveney prior to the vote. "I don't think it's in the best interest of the town." 

"I support Ms. Erica Medley for this term," said Councilor Paul Kesson. "We need healthy skepticism. We're not all going to see eye to eye." 

Medley, who did not provide her occupation on the application, yet stated her length of employment was 21 years, is a graduate of Providence College. She holds a bachelor's degree and previously worked for Roger Williams College, Department of Natural Science, for three years.

In other Town Council news:

• The council voted unanimously to postpone a proclamation presentation to the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee until the meeting on Jan. 10.

• The council voted to postpone a show cause hearing for , located at 506 Park Ave., due to a possible error on the notice given to the bar's owner. The show cause hearing will now be held on Jan. 10.

• The council set a date for the public hearing on the proposed abandonment of . The public hearing will be held on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

• Postponed a request to review the right-of-way status of Fairview Lane, which was brought before the council by Karen Gleason and Robert Molleur. The issue has been postponed until the Jan. 10 meeting.

Town Administrator's Report:

Town Administrator Robert Driscoll announced the following upcoming meeting dates in his report given to the council on Monday.

• The Charter Review Commission will hold its first official meeting on Jan. 5.

• The Elmhurst School Reuse Committee will hold a meeting on Jan. 12.

• The Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns will hold a meeting on Jan. 11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. Members of the Portsmouth Town Council are invited.

• Driscoll also announced that he received a letter from the state Department of Transportation (DOT), announcing that the on-ramp to the Sakonnet River Bridge from Route 24, will reopen within two weeks, weather permitting. 

• The town's  has also not operated within the past few days due to a "failed slip ring." "We are waiting for the delivery on a part, which will be installed to get it working again," Driscoll said. Robicheau asked Finance Director David Faucher on how much the town has lost due to the turbine not operating. "I can estimate, but I can't give you an exact amount," Faucher said. "There's no doubt, the town's lost money. It's been a number of days."

The next Town Council meeting will be held on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.